Christ Has Set Us Free

Author's Note: I know I'm posting this way early for July 4th Independence Day celebration, but I want us to reflect and in our prayers, please include our soldiers who sacrifice their own lives to protect us and our "freedom". Also, pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who are also sacrificing their lives as they share the "Good News" to different places of this world, to share the "freedom" that comes from Christ....

Two deputies were slightly dragging a male inmate towards the Clinic, with the man’s bilateral hands soaked with dried blood and a few drops still visible as they fell on the floor. He was bleeding somewhere from his hands. He wasn’t attempting to help out in any way with his legs letting them literally slide on the cold floor.

This man tried to jump over a broken window as the cops tried to arrest him during a burglary. In the process, he ended up getting pierced somewhere in his finger with that broken glass.

It’s pathetic when we see from the media when the cops are portrayed as the abusers. What the rest of the people don’t know, it’s not the whole story. What the video will show is only the part when cops are using their batons, or kicking the arrestees or using their taser guns to subdue them. Working in a correctional facility, I have seen all the lies, all the manipulations, the unpredictable behaviors of inmates who have the history of using drugs and/or alcohol, by which any minute, can be very combative to anyone: deputies and even medical staff.

Prior to this man being booked, he was already treated in a nearby county hospital. What happened next, no one knew as he claimed that he was still bleeding.

He obviously did not want to help with his mobility, the deputies had to slightly drag him, the handcuffs securely fastened both of his wrists.

As he neared the Clinic, he started yelling, “The cops did this! I feel that something is broken in my chest and I’m still bleeding!” When the deputies asked him to sit on the chair, he wouldn’t obey. Anything they said to him, he just wouldn’t do anything.

“Sir! If you want me to treat you and be able to clean your wound well, I need you to just stand still with your back on me so I can clean your bloody hands!” I uttered in a firm voice. He did stand still and I put the big trash bin behind him as I readied my supplies to clean his wound.

I couldn’t tell where the bleeding was coming from. So I patiently washed every digit of his both hands with normal saline, until I was able to inspect them, one by one. I saw some kind of pierced wound on the 3rd digit of his right hand. It was a clean wound but if he picked it, it would still bleed.

“Aww!,” he screamed, as I tried to cleanse it with normal saline.

“The broken glass pierced through my finger! Thanks to these cops! I shouldn’t be here!” he continued to blame the authorities.”

“Awww”, as he yelled one more time.

“Sir, why are you yelling still?” I asked. “Your wound is not bleeding anymore and it’s already wrapped with gauze and a pressure dressing to prevent it from bleeding.”

“It’s only a minor wound and it will heal in no time,” I said.

He didn’t know what to say. This time, he started walking away without the deputies needing to drag him back to his unit. He stopped giving them a hard time.

This inmate exaggerated his injuries and his pain obviously. He pretended to be innocent but he was caught robbing a place and that was how he sustained his injury when the police officers started pursuing him. He was claiming his right to be “free” but he committed a crime. Despite his ill behavior against authorities, he was treated decently by everyone but he wouldn’t say anything, not even one “thank you” except to make it appear that he was being treated unfairly.

The whole time I was treating his wound as I was hearing his lies, I was thinking of the One and only innocent Man who was arrested, prosecuted, pierced, stabbed, spat on, and was pierced with big nails, not only on his two hands but also of His feet.

The only One Who claimed “He is the Son of God” but no one believed. And it is for the cause of “freedom” that made Him give His own life on the cross. Christ came to set us “free” – not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our own selfish desires. But because of Jesus, we are free and able to do what was impossible before – to live unselfishly. Being saved by grace is totally different from trying to be saved by keeping the laws. All we do is accept His gracious gift through faith.

If you don’t know Jesus and you are here today reading this, would you place your trust and faith on Him? We are saved by faith and not by deeds.

Like that inmate, would you keep on professing your innocence? That you are not a sinner? Blaming others instead of taking responsibility for your own wrong deeds.

The Bible says, “For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standards. Yet, now God in His gracious kindness declares us not guilty” –Romans 3:23,24.

“Salvation that comes from trusting Christ is already within easy reach. The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” –Romans 10:8

“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” – Romans 10:9,10

[Click on the “Roman Road to Salvation” on my right side bar if you are ready to commit a life with Jesus]. “If not now, when?”

BTW, I am proud to be an American! And I am “humbled by the Lord” to be a Christian!!!

35 comments:

This is a wonderful post. We can not pretend to know what you go through or the cops go through trying to protect us and keep us safe. Then there are our armed forces who often do not get the respect they deserve as they serve to protect us. Now, I am brought to our wonderful JESUS, who does not get the respect and love HE deserves and HE, died on a cross to save us. I pray anyone who comes here not knowing Christ as their savior will find HIM in the words you have written today. I pray their hearts will be drawn to the words our Heavenly Father wrote through your hand.Blessings and prayers, andrea

THANKS for stopping by my blog. Please continue to pray. I get better and then worse again. VERY bad headaches, fatigue, etc. Deep inside, I feel as though there is more going on than the B12 deficiency. My levels are in the low end of norm, but in the normal range. I am praying and seeking GOD's direction as to the direction for medical care, etc. Love you, andrea

Thankyou for this post! Sometimes you operate in your gift of Compassion, sometimes its Wisdom, and this time the Spirit of Truth spoke and although he didn't thank you....He heard you and knew he was "busted" so to speak but when God busts us, it is Love. Today I was mowing and praying for you, for Mary, and others and this is the Scripture the Lord gave me specifically for you

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Rosel....thankyou for being used by the Lord, humbling yourself to allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you, to see HIM and to hear His voice each and every situation!You inspire me sooo!

Well written and very thought provoking post! I am in awe of the work you have to do on a daily basis.

I am going to school to become a nurse and I hope and pray that I am able to handle my job with compassion and strength as you do - it is a thankless, extremely emotional job and I am sure it is hard when you have an inmate who is hard to deal with as a patient. God has given you a gift to be able to see HIM through all of your daily struggles. I pray that as I begin my journey, I am able to always focus my eyes on Him regardless of the turmoil going on around me. You are an inspiration to me!

God Bless you for the comfort that you give to others - comfort for their bodies AND their souls!Warmly,Kymber

Sister Loren: I had also answered your comment here in your site and I'm just happy to know that you'd be seeing your hubby! Thank you for your prayers as well and the Book of Isaiah is my favorite! To that verse, I would answer with Isaiah 6:8 - "Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?" And I said, "Lord, I'll go! Send me." Love and blessings to you.

Kymber: Humbled here by your comment but all the glory belongs to our dear Father in heaven! Everything is possible because of His grace. If it's the Lord Who wants you to become a nurse, follow His leading. Don't be afraid. Always seek Him first with your plans.

As we receive His love completely first, only then we are able to love others unconditionally, do things for His glory.

Then, we know that we don't need others to say "thank you" but our comfort comes from knowing that we are pleasing our Father and that we are doing what He willed for each of us.

I would like to remind you with:

Proverbs 3:5,6 -"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths."

Isaiah 55:9 -"For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts."

I've missed your posts while I've been off for a few days. You write so well! The spiritual condition of this prisoner is much worse than his physical, isn't it? So sad. It is no wonder policemen get a bit cynical when they have to deal with people like this, isn't it? They have a much harder job than many of us realize. Thanks for the good post.

Bro.Warren: We need to take a break sometimes from blogging. Going back I think makes us appreciate it more. Thank you for your time today. Most of the inmates are in need of the Lord's saving grace. But it applies the same for the staff. If the deputies don't have the Lord in their hearts, then they will never know how to deal with these rude inmates in ways that are pleasing to the Lord, in a way. I think their jobs are harder only when spiritual things are involved and if they are not familiar with spiritual battles, it is tougher for them. I always pray for the Lord to bring in many Christians to work there who can reflect His light in that dark place and make a difference. God bless.

Everytime I come here I am amazed by your bravery and calm in the face of men who are violent or deserpate. God has placed you in this place for a purpose, which I believ you live out during each shift.

This is a great line!"Being saved by grace is totally different from trying to be saved by keeping the laws"

Sister Christy: Before posting, I always ask the Lord to speak through my fingers as I type. It is my prayer that everyone who comes here are always encouraged as the Lord is the One speaking, not me. To Him be the glory! Thank you for your visits. God bless.

Sister Cynthia: I have no fear [thanks be to God] knowing that no matter what happens, I already have the deliverance [Amen!]. "If God is with us, who can be against us?"-Romans 8:31

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't and life can't. The angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."-Romans 8:38,39So, glory to God forever!

Reflecting on Romans 1:18-32, I realize with new clarity what our real problem is. Our real problem is not our sins. If our sins were the problem, we might muster the will-power to pull out of this nose dive. But the good news of the gospel begins with some really bad news. Our sins only provoke a bigger problem: the wrath of God. Our real problem is not our sins but God. He is angry, he isn't going away, and there is nothing we can do about it. If God is against us, who can be for us?

But here is the good news. God has made God our salvation. He did it at the cross. God has provided a way of escape from God: in God. We run from his wrath by running toward his grace in Christ. And if God is for us, who can be against us?

Sister Lisa: I sure am glad too that you came by. I appreciate the visit :) Thank you for your prayers and right back at you. God bless. May God continue to inspire us all, protect us and guide us with His wisdom.

Sister Kat: There are ways I'm learning from the Lord to cut their foolish ways/behavior by firm, honest command. If I look them in the eye, it works well, too as they can't stand the direct gaze and look away. But deep inside, I'm praying and I know that is what's working for me all the time. God is awesome!

Amazing how easy it is to blame others when we are deep in sin, just like this inmate. What is even more sad is when believers do this. Only in Christ are we free. And what a a price He paid for our freedom.

Rosel, Again I must say how thankful God has led me to you. Each time I visit I see how God is working through you my friend. It is never easy to be part of the military and police family. We know each day our husbands put their lives on the line to protect this wonderful country. They are indeed in God's hands. I love my sister in Christ,Bren

Sister Bren: And I'm thankful to my hubby, yours and those who risk their lives every day to protect this precious freedom we all enjoy. And to the Lord Who deserves all the praise and honor as He also gave His own life to free us from the slavery of sins. To God be the glory. God bless sister. Love and blessings to you.

This is a beautiful post. And it is so fitting for Independence Day. You have such a gift for encouraging others and for writing. I am so bless to have you as part of my blog circle. Have a bless weekend!!

Revisiting your post today to see your wonderful video made in honor of our beloved servicemen/women who serve our country!

As I listened to the wonderful song, it brought back memories of my daughter when she was little. She sang this song for church and I can see her singing it with her sweet little voice - like it was yesterday. She grew up to marry a man who served two tours in Iraq! I am so proud of our wonderful men and women who give their lives in dedication to our beloved country and for our freedoms that we enjoy everyday! There are so many people in this world who are unable to freely open a Bible and pray to our Lord out loud! This grieves me so! I will proudly wave my flag today in honor of these great men and women - God bless them all and God bless YOU for remembering them in your post today!((Hugs))Kymber

Sister Kymber: Just like you, I had tears in my eyes. I specifically selected this song because it reminded me too when my son sang it so well when he was 8 or 9 y.o. And everyone next to him started crying as they heard him singing [we were in Las Vegas]. It still feels like yesterday everytime I hear this song but I'm really grateful for our troops. May we remember them not only today but everyday.

Sister Lisa: You are such an encouragement not only when you come here but in your site too. Thank you for your prayers. My prayers right back for you. May we all remember the special freedom that the Lord freely gives to those who believes in Him. Glory to God! Happy Independence Day to you and your family. Love and blessings to you, too.

The Attacker (5/15/09)

The sun was just peeking from the Eastern skies.

Out in the prison’s yard, some huge Sheriff’s buses were illuminated by the soft glow coming from the lights all over from the tall lamp posts. Their engines were turned on, warming up, before the buses would take the inmates to the different courts where they would have their trials.

Orange-uniformed men were lined up in pairs, joined together with handcuffs and chained, forming a long line. They already had their breakfast and had their morning medications prior to going to courts. Some were fidgeting, as they waited to board those buses.

All of a sudden, all hell broke loose! Two men were engaged in a fight, using weapons they made secretly for a while. Deputies called for help on the radio, both for custody back-up and medical staff, as well.

When the air was cleared and the other inmates were secured, one man was down on the floor. He sustained multiple gashes but two of them were deep. One cut was vertically etched from his left ear going down to the jaw line. The other dangerous cut was horizontal on his left neck, close to the jugular vein. Pool of blood dripped all over the floor. Holding his bleeding neck, he was pointing at the other inmate few feet away, being guarded by the other deputies.

The other man being accused was not hurt. There were no lacerations nor any other signs of trauma. He was obviously very agitated as he was being questioned by those deputies, while the medical staff started treating the other man on the floor. They cleaned the wounds and controlled the bleeding. That man was sent to the nearby hospital.

When the investigation was finalized, it turned out to be that the “downed man who was accusing the other inmate” was the attacker and the other one who didn’t have injury was the one attacked. The deputies found out that it was the second attempt to attack the unhurt man. Both attacks on him failed. He was well-prepared after the first attempt on him, that when the second attempt was done, he was able to defend himself and ended up injuring his attacker severely.

[Source: NLT Bible ]:

We also have an “accuser of the brethren.” Satan and his army of demons are the enemies of God and of everything good.

“Because God’s children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death.” –Hebrews 2:14

Because of what Jesus had done [dying on the cross], we, who live in constant fear of death shouldn’t be afraid anymore. Jesus had freed us from that fear so we can live for Him. When we belong to God, we know that death is only the portal that leads into “eternal life”. [“Thank You Lord!].

Paul warned us, too that we also battle against the evil forces of Satan, who is a vicious fighter. But to be able to withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armor. We face an army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church. When we believe in Christ, they become our enemies. They will try any device to turn us away from the Lord.

Fear not! For God has provided His supernatural power to defeat Satan and his army, through His Holy Spirit within us. So, arm yourselves with God’s armor.

Let us be strong in the Lord's mighty power. Let's put on His whole armor to resist the enemy's attacks: put on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that we are well-prepared. We will need faith in every battle as our shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed by Satan and his army. Let us put on salvation as our helmet, not forgetting the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Let's pray at all times, on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. We must stay alert and be persistent in our prayers for all Christians everywhere. [Ephesians 6:10-18].